Daniel Farke verdict issued as Sky Sports pundit lost for words at Leeds United vs Sunderland
Daniel Farke couldn’t have legislated for the error from Illan Meslier that let two points go begging for Leeds United at Sunderland, according to Don Goodman.
Neither the Sky Sports pundit, the Whites boss, or the keeper himself could believe what had happened in the final moments of the game on 4 October as the Black Cats were gifted a 97th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2.
Goodman reacted live on the broadcaster’s match commentary, admitting he didn’t know what to say, but pointing out there was nothing the manager could have done after a speculative ball was hooked forward by Alan Browne off Junior Firpo that Meslier let bounce past him and in.
Goodman said (9.55pm): “We’ve seen some goalkeeping howlers in our times. This is right up there. This is right up there, he cannot believe it.
“It’s a gift. It’s a present. And you can’t legislate for it if you’re Daniel Farke, if you’re Leeds United, how on earth can you legislate for something like this?
“This is incredible… I’m lost for words.”
Illan Meslier concedes stunning late goal for Leeds United
Farke’s job has been called into question as his side have lurched through an inconsistent opening few weeks of the season [Graham Smyth, 19 September].
But he was seconds away from recording the sort of result that could have properly kickstarted the season after his injury-hit side responded to going behind early away to the Championship leaders, wrestling back control via goals from Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo.
There absolutely were players who weren’t up to scratch, including Brenden Aaronson, Jayden Bogle, and, in the first half, Joe Rodon, but for most of the night Meslier wasn’t one.
It is no wonder the manager looked so sickened on the bench as he watched a reply of the keeper’s baffling error because it came out of nowhere and seemed to be completely unrelated to the rest of his performance.
Farke may face more questions after his team missed the chance to go level with Sunderland at the top, but aside from playing Karl Darlow instead of Meslier, or Sam Byram instead of Bogle, who conceded the free kick which led to the final sequence, the German is surely not to blame.
He was seconds from being hailed for masterminding a mature win, and it is hard to understand how that didn’t end up happening.
Meslier took a knee to the head when Pascal Struijk was pushed into him by Wilson Isidor while gathering a dangerous ball late in the game, which might possibly explain the stunning error.
The keeper has had his fair share of clangers since he was being tipped for the top prior to Premier League relegation but had one of his better games prior to that blow, which required treatment.
He bobbled and caught one cross after that but it was still no sign of what was to come, and if it ends up proving costly for Leeds United or Farke it will be all the more painful.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling blasted Meslier’s teammates for what they did after the late equaliser.
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